EXTERNAL ANATOMY. FEET OP FULICA. 157 
also are now greatly enlarged, and embrace two joints of 
the outer, and one of the inner toe. In consequence of 
this structure, we find that both these birds are excel- 
lent swimmers. Of the first, the same observing natu- 
ralist says, “It frequents shady ponds, in which it 
swims with ease and elegance; its attitndes much re- 
sembling those of the common teal, and, like that bird, 
it is continually dipping its bill into the water, picking 
up the small insects which constitute its food. P. Fuli- 
carius “ was often seen swimming on the sea, far from 
land, on the northern expeditions.”* 
(135.) The Coots (Fulica) have their feet con- 
structed on the same principle as the PImleropes : they 
are well known to be most expert divers and swimmers, 
but such bad walkers, that they appear to stagger in 
their gait, and use their wings as flappers. In no part 
of the world have we seen this bird in such abundance 
as on the lakes of Leontitu, in the island of Sicily : 
flocks of 400 or 500 are very often seen sailing on the 
larger lake during the day, but so shy that it requires 
great skill for the sportsman to approach them : upon 
being fired at, the greatest number immediately dive. 
For this operation their foot is admirably fitted. Next 
to the jacanas, it has the largest claws among the rail 
family '; the middle toe often measuring four inches, 
while the size and strength of tile whole foot is 
unexampled in the Grallatorial order ; the hind toe, 
however, is more like that of a duck, and hence we find 
that, although the coot dives and swims admirably, it 
walks with difficulty and unsteadiness. The external 
toe has two, and the middle three, lobes on each side, 
each pair distinctly divided : these correspond with the 
number of the joints : the lobes on the inner toe are all 
united, and the number of four, can only be traced by 
the articidations, and by the margin of the membrane 
being very slightly scolloped adjoining thereto : the claws 
are moderately long, strong, very acute, and nearly 
straight. 
* Northern Zoology, vol. ii. l>. 407. 
